2, 4, 6, 8

Eloise has a new affinity for Thomas the Tank Engine and it's driving me crazy. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that she enjoys trains - we spend a lot of time playing with my brother's childhood Brio - but I made the mistake of introducing Eloise to the Thomas & Friends theme song on YouTube and now she wants to watch it all the time. I know, why on earth would I show my toddler a catchy song on the computer? Because I'm new at this, okay.

It's only been a few days but Eloise stands in front of the computer demanding "Train song" several times throughout the day. If she's really persistent and we haven't watched it in the last hour I cave, and then when she cutely says, "One more, Mama? Pease?" I can't resist.

"But just ONE more time, okay Eloise?"

"Okay Mama, sank you."

Gawd.

I also made the mistake of trying to calm her down when she was cranky in the car with my own rendition of the Thomas song and guess what? She loved it! You bet I know all the words after watching the silly video a dozen times a day. "They're 2, 4, 6, 8, shunting trucks and hauling freight..."

But the funniest thing happened today we were at the community centre. Eloise saw a little boy having a snack with his mom and went up to him and started touching him. The little boy swatted her away (I hear ya buddy, I've got personal space boundaries too) and I went over to explain to Eloise that touching people uninvited is not okay. Then she excitedly pointed to him and said, "Thomas train!" Guess who was on his shirt?

The Bedroom

A very simple and paired back room, Thomas' bedroom needs to function as both a place to relax and get stuff done. The console at the end of his bed will serve as a desk for doing paperwork and an armoire will (hopefully) keep his clothing off the floor. Notice the careful placement of a hamper :)

With the addition of a rug, a vintage map and a coat rack, a space made up of blues and greys will feel warm, uncluttered and relaxing. 

Cotton hoody
€56 - modekungen.se

Raw Edge Console | west elm
$499 - westelm.com

IKEA Liatorp
$310 - ikea.com

Coat Racks
$229 - roomandboard.com

Sheepskin Rugs
$199 - roomandboard.com

IKEA Lillesand
$179 - ikea.com

Bubbles Ceramic Drum Stool, White | west elm
$129 - westelm.com

IKEA Barometer
$50 - ikea.com

Phrenology Head Poster - Blue Multi - One Size
$24 - urbanoutfitters.com

The Container Store > Horizon Round Crunch Can by Umbra®
$20 - containerstore.com

IKEA Bild Fjällsta
$7 - ikea.com

The Studio

My brother Thomas (the previously mentioned cool one) is an up and coming DJ. Since he has all the gear and gadgets he needs to pack a dance floor, this Christmas I am giving him the gift of design and completely redecorating his work spaces.

Thomas currently uses his bedroom to do prep for clients and his studio to practice for gigs, but neither space function to their total capacity. Both rooms were painted just a few months ago so this project will concentrate on organization and decor, giving Thomas the work space he needs to grow his business.

With a shelving unit that doubles as record storage, a desk for his mixers and a couch for lounging, Thomas' studio will be clean, cool and hopefully, a perfect creative space. I can't wait to get started!

AIAIAI Tma-1 Dj Headphone Black
€187 - youheshe.com

Rolly Side Table
$380 - dwr.com

Jonathan Adler Parker Nickel Ceiling Light - contemporary - ceiling...
$247 - houzz.com

IKEA Expedit
$120 - ikea.com

IKEA Ektorp
$49 - ikea.com

IKEA Andrup
$35 - ikea.com

Album Frame - Black - One Size
$15 - urbanoutfitters.com

Kitchen Accessories, Measuring Cups & Tea Towels | west elm
$10 - westelm.com

Wire Frame 10" Letters - O - One Size
$6.99 - urbanoutfitters.com

Too Cool

I've never been particularly cool, at least not in the hip sense of the word. I mean, I like to think I'm a 'cool' girl to be around but I've always been too prim to be actually cool.

My brother Thomas is cool. He and his hipster friends study film, play in indie bands, DJ with vinyls and take artsy photos with retro cameras. They wear tight jeans with lots of plaid, ugly sweaters and old lady glasses. They throw raging house parties on weekdays and hang out at cool places like the Waldorf. They're hipsters, the current generation of cool kids.

I'm reminded of my lack of coolness when, on a Saturday night, Thomas invites me out to the club he's DJing at and I decline to stay at home in my pajamas. Instead, Chris and I put the baby to bed early and watched the entire second season of HBO's How to Make it in America with a plate of my Mom's Christmas cookies. I know, things can get dangerously cool around here.

My lack of coolness aside, How to Make it in America is an awesome show. The characters are hip 20-somethings you'd want to hang out with, living in New York and you guessed it, trying to make it. The soundtrack to each episode is amazing and I can't help but wish, if only for a moment, that I was in their shoes, yearning for that big break and trying to figure it all out. But then again, when you're single, broke and trying to find your path in life, don't you yearn for the chance to snuggle up at home with your hubby on a Saturday night? I guess the grass is always greener.